Intern plans to teach-and garden

Jenifer Secrist, an Iowa State University senior studying agricultural education, says she sought a summer Leopold Center internship because of her convictions that all living things are interrelated and that agriculture involves more than technology.

"We need to concentrate on the environmental and social aspects and balance those with the economic aspects," she says-and at the Center, she learned about ways to do that. During her internship, she says, "I talked with farmers who use sustainable practices and learned that some can be as easy to implement as conventional practices-if the farmer is willing to change."


Working with education coordinator Rich Pirog, Jenifer compiled data, summarized workshop evaluation feedback, and developed diagrams depicting local food pathways. In addition, Jenifer works at the Iowa Crop Improvement Association. This fall, she will help compile data for the Leopold Center's five-year review process.

Jenifer, who grew up on a farm near Anamosa, plans to teach secondary-level agriculture and science-including sustainability concepts. "Another benefit of being a teacher," she adds, "is that I'll have time for a summer vegetable garden."

Return to the Fall 1998 Leopold Letter Index